Heart Disease and COVID-19: What You Need to Know
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people around the world to pay more attention to their health. As we continue to work to prevent COVID infections, we’re learning more about the long-term effects of the virus.
Our cardiology team at Chinatown Cardiology, with five New York City locations, is closely following the ongoing research about COVID-19 and its effects on the heart.
One of the most significant things we’ve learned to date is that anyone who’s had the infection may be at increased risk for heart issues, even if you only had mild symptoms.
How COVID-19 affects your heart
Ongoing research about the effects of COVID on the heart shows that any person who’s been infected is at a higher risk of heart issues, including:
- Blood clots
- Heart attack
- Heart muscle damage
- Persistent heart inflammation
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Atrial fibrillation (rapid, irregular heartbeat)
The risk for these heart conditions is significantly higher for people who smoke or have existing health issues like diabetes, obesity, or kidney disease.
However, research shows that anyone who’s had COVID-19 can still develop heart complications regardless of their age or health history. This includes people who were asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms of COVID-19.
Link between COVID-19 and heart conditions
While research continues about the effects of COVID on the heart and the body in general, the underlying trigger of heart problems may be inflammation.
It’s likely that the inflammation in your body that develops when your immune system responds to the virus is responsible for long-term heart issues.
There’s also research that shows the COVID-19 virus may directly attack cells that line the vessels of your heart. This attack can increase your risk of blood clots, which can cause blockages in your blood vessels and deprive your heart of oxygen-rich blood.
Getting help for possible COVID-related heart complications
After you recover from a COVID-19 infection, even a mild one, you should continue to monitor yourself for any unusual symptoms.
Our cardiology team recommends that you schedule a diagnostic evaluation if you experience:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic fatigue
- Ankle or leg swelling
If you experience the sudden onset of chest pain or breathing problems, you should call 911 without delay to get emergency medical attention.
Our team at Chinatown Cardiology offers advanced heart testing services on-site to get the answers you need about your heart health.
Based on your results, we customize a treatment plan to prevent additional heart damage and improve your overall cardiovascular health. Using medications and advanced surgical techniques, we can address blood clots, heart muscle damage, and poor blood circulation.
Your recovery depends on the severity of your heart damage and whether you have other COVID-19 health issues.
If you need diagnostic testing for possible COVID-related heart issues, Chinatown Cardiology has convenient locations in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment or book one online today.